What a year! We had it all in 2017. The year began with record winter rainfall, followed by a mild spring, a scorching summer, and finally cooler weather in mid-September. That respite helped bring order to the harvest, though it did not last long as rain showers turned to thunderstorms in late September, creating new challenges for the farmers. The year started with an average crop size estimate. After the extreme heatwave, the average actual crop yield was much lower due to small berry size and weight reduction caused by dehydration. The good news is that the above conditions increased the concentration of color, aroma, and the wines’ overall quality.

The word “vineyard” is a bit of an overstatement for this single acre of vines grown on a steep cliff above the floor of Dry Creek Valley. The hard, red soil, lack of irrigation, and hot summer days provide a bit of a challenge for the vines, but their struggle results in super-concentrated fruit, and only 2 to 2.5 tons of grapes per acre. The budwood for the vines was taken from century-old vines grown on the Trentadue Estate property in Geyserville. All vines are head-pruned in the old traditional way, which I believe is best for Petite Sirah.

The grapes were fermented in open top vessels with the old-world punch down by hand technique for the gentlest extraction. The fermented grapes were pressed “direct” — without using a pump — on the sixth day after harvest. The wine was aged 18 months in 40% new French and American oak barrels; 60% neutral older barrels. Prior to bottling, the wine was fined lightly with egg whites.

Another stunning vintage from this little vineyard. The wine is inky dark, almost opaque with a deep, purple hue. On the nose it opens with intense blueberry and blackberry aromas with a toasty caramel and cinnamon undertone. Further aeration reveals deeper, complex layers of ripe plums, white pepper followed by licorice, cedar and a touch of violets. On the mouth this wine is extracted and heavy but well balanced—all the way to a big, hedonistic, juicy, mouth filling finish. Longevity is to be expected from this variety for next 8-12 years.